Give your views on crime

Residents are being asked for their views on how the St Albans District can be made an even safer place to live and work.

They are invited to voice their opinions about what improvements can be made in the fight against crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour.

People who want to take part can do so by filling in a short survey online or completing a questionnaire on paper.

The consultation is intended to help the St Albans Community Safety Partnership (CSP) complete its strategy for the coming year. It will start on

Monday 20 February and continue until Wednesday 22 March.

The CSP is an umbrella group of agencies that work together to reduce crime in the District.

Members include St Albans City and District Council, Hertfordshire Constabulary, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and various voluntary organisations.

It consults annually with residents and local groups about its plans for the coming year. Six main priorities have been identified and these are to:

* Prevent and reduce all crime with a focus on shop lifting, vehicle crime, theft from person and fraud that targets the vulnerable and elderly;
* Protect vulnerable people, including children at risk of child sexual exploitation, those affected by domestic abuse and individuals who may be at risk of radicalism;
* Tackle antisocial behaviour such as street drinking;
* Reduce drug and alcohol misuse and increase awareness of treatment services;
* Ensure all relevant agencies effectively prevent and tackle repeat offending in accordance with their legal obligations; and
* Improve coordination with mental health services and highlight early intervention support services.

Cllr Beric Read, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism, said: “Crime and antisocial behaviour is low in St Albans District compared to many other parts of the country. The Community Safety Partnership wants to make sure that it remains that way.

“We want to hear people’s views on how we can make improvements and where our priorities should lie. By completing the questionnaire, they will help shape community safety plans for the District in the coming year.”